Judges 18:7-12

Judges 18:7

Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.

They came to Laish which was about 10 miles (16 km) north of Lake Semechonitis which was north of the Sea of Galilee.   Laish was on the northern border of Canaan.  They had entered the city and made their observations.  They saw that the people had dwelled in the city in a manner that they were not concerned about being attacked because of their fortresses and also they did not believe that their city was to be given to the Israelites.  They thought they were home free from any enemies but they did not know of the five men who came in to spy them out.  There was no magistrate in the land which meant they had no law to prosecute offenders and put them to open shame from any punishment received for a legal offense.  The Zidonians lived approximately 11 miles (18 km) from them and maybe had used their laws as their own.

Judges 18:8

And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye?

Once they had made their full assessment of the city they returned to their home towns of Zorah and Eshtaol where their brethren, no doubt the city leaders of Dan had now asked them for a report as to what they saw.

Judges 18:9

And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land.

The spies now give their assessment that they should prepare for war and go fight against them.  The land was very good and it would suit their needs.  They advised them to prepare for war now and that they should not waste any time in making the decision and in actually moving against them in actual battle. They would be able to go in and possess the land.

Judges 18:10

When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.

They would only have to concern themselves with attacking only one city but the outlying land attached to it was very large and would accommodate their people and fulfill their needs.  They were totally sure that God would give it into their hands since the people lived a careless life.  They were also told that the place would yield great harvests of food and they would lack nothing in the way of food.

Judges 18:11

And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.

They did not feel they needed any more than six hundred men to take Laish since the people lived without the idea of being prepared for a war or any type of invasion.  The weapons of war were no doubt swords since the word “appointed” may also be understood as “girded.”

Judges 18:12

And they went up, and pitched in Kirjath-jearim, in Judah: wherefore they called that place Mahaneh-dan unto this day: behold, it is behind Kirjath-jearim.